Tarzan Koenji, Horikita Suzune in Dire Straits

The sun blazed overhead.

Sunlight filtered through the branches into the forest, scattering patches of light across the grass.

At that moment,

Ayanokoji was exploring the woods with Sakura and Koenji.

As for why this was the group he'd ended up with, Ayanokoji could only say that the more he thought about it, the more depressing it got.

He'd been the one left over.

Feeling gloomy, he looked up at Koenji, who was swinging back and forth between several trees ahead of them. It was almost like watching Tarzan.

Was this the kind of physical fitness a normal person could have?

He couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

"Hey, Koenji! You'd better save some energy. It's only the first day of the exam..."

Ayanokoji called up to him.

"A man should have the courage to challenge nature!"

Koenji paused on a tree trunk and ran a hand through his beautiful hair. "Don't worry. Once I've conquered this island, I'll go back and rest."

"..."

"Even so, you won't get to rest properly on the island..."

Shit.

Before Ayanokoji could finish speaking, Koenji grabbed a vine and swung gracefully forward, leaving only his hearty laughter echoing through the woods.

His laughter faded, and Koenji's figure grew smaller and smaller in Ayanokoji's view, until he finally leapt out of sight.

Ayanokoji raised an eyebrow slightly. He had a feeling there was more to Koenji's words than met the eye.

Conquer it, huh...

The island wasn't big, but it would still take at least two days to "swing" all over it.

By the time he came back two days later, he'd probably be half a person.

Wait... come back?

Hadn't he said where he was going back to?

While Ayanokoji was pondering this, a voice came from beside him.

"...Sorry, Ayanokoji-kun..."

"Am I holding you back?"

Sakura caught up to him from behind, panting softly with exhaustion.

"No. Koenji's just doing whatever he feels like."

Ayanokoji spoke calmly, meeting the girl's eyes. She looked away at once.

"Isn't this too much for you?"

"N-no... I want to do something for the class, too."

Sakura's cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke in a soft voice, but there was a note of determination in her words.

Ayanokoji gazed at her for a moment, then gave a quiet reply:

"Mm..."

But, Sakura.

Sometimes, being too selfless could end up causing trouble for others.

On a cliff.

Katsuragi was using binoculars to watch the occasional figures appearing in the forest.

Behind him was a concealed cave, piled high with supplies of unknown origin.

There seemed to be enough to last them for quite some time.

After a while, a somewhat wooden-looking boy emerged from the cave and leaned in close to Katsuragi to whisper:

"Katsuragi, someone just used the base illegally. We've been docked 50 points..."

At the news, Katsuragi's expression grew grave, and his brow furrowed.

He slowly turned his gaze toward the enormous cruise ship on the distant shore. His already mature-looking face took on an even more solemn air.

Sakayanagi, you sly bastard...

On the shore beside the Luxury Cruise Ship,

Several large beach umbrellas and lounge chairs had suddenly appeared.

On the beach, a group of students had set up a barbecue grill and started cooking.

They were sweating profusely, yet full of enthusiasm and energy, giving the impression that once they'd burned themselves out, they'd head back to the ship and lounge around.

In the shallow water not far from the barbecue area, the members of Class C were swimming and splashing about with abandon, their laughter ringing out.

Every one of them wore a relaxed, cheerful smile, as though the exam had nothing to do with them.

Under a beach umbrella, Ryuen was lounging comfortably as he watched the scene. Oversized sunglasses rested on his forehead, and he wore a cocky expression.

By some rocks on another stretch of shore, Ichinose gazed toward the sound of laughter, suspicion stirring in her heart.

Had Class C... given up on the exam?

As she pondered Ryuen's schemes, a handsome young man came up behind her and spoke.

"Ichinose, I heard Ryuen and the others just spent all their points. I wonder what dirty trick he's planning this time."

"Huh? Is that so?"

"How are they going to get through the next seven days?"

Kanzaki shook his head.

"From the looks of it, they plan to spend all their points and then go back to the ship to enjoy themselves."

"Ryuen really is a delinquent."

As Kanzaki spoke, he looked toward the source of the laughter, a look of disdain on his face.

"I don't think he'd give up on the exam so easily."

Ichinose replied with her usual easy smile.

"I don't know what he's thinking, but we just need to focus on doing our best. Let's keep it up!"

"Mm."

Kanzaki nodded quietly.

Ichinose then continued toward the busy students without lingering, ready to lend a hand. She seemed just as energetic as she had been since they arrived on the island.

Kanzaki stood where he was, watching her bustle around and encourage her classmates, and found himself staring for a while...

It wasn't just today. Ichinose had been brightening the lives of those around her ever since the school year began.

"Everyone, look! The water in this stream is really clear, and there are fish in it, too. We can save a ton of points this way!"

Beside a stream in the woods, Ike spoke excitedly to the students of Class D.

He'd found the stream while exploring. Beside it was a check-in device marking a base.

"Nice work, Ike."

Hirata praised Ike, then addressed the others behind him.

"Everyone, let's set up here. There's a device nearby, so we can claim this spot as our campsite and base."

"We can use it as a base, but is the water really safe to drink...? We should probably spend a few points on bottled water."

A few students spoke with concern.

"What are you talking about? You can tell just by looking that water this clear is safe to drink. There's no need to waste points."

"And we can save a lot of points on food by catching fish."

Ike spoke to them, unable to understand their concerns.

Even so, most of them remained doubtful, unease written all over their faces.

Seeing this, Hirata walked over and patted Ike on the shoulder. "Ike, it's best not to push everyone too hard right now."

"Besides, everyone's stomach is different..."

"How about this? Those who feel comfortable can make use of the stream's resources as much as possible. Those who really don't feel comfortable can spend a few points to buy water from the school."

Hirata smiled as he tried to find a compromise for everyone.

His ability to keep everyone happy was visibly improving, so much so that Ayanokoji almost felt sorry for him.

Hirata, you've got it rough.

Ayanokoji watched the others gradually smile as they felt understood. Then he glanced at Ike, standing by the stream with a dejected look, and thought for a moment before walking over.

"Ike, are you good at living outdoors?"

When Ayanokoji approached, Ike froze for a moment, then gave an awkward smile.

"I used to go camping outdoors with my dad all the time when I was a kid, so..." As he spoke, he crouched down and cupped his hands, scooping up a mouthful of water as clear as glass. "You can tell at a glance whether this water's safe to drink..."

Ayanokoji looked at his dejected expression and said nothing.

Or rather, he didn't know what to say.

After all, he only knew how to get on people's nerves. He didn't know how to comfort them.

And the girl sitting under a nearby tree with her arms wrapped around her knees probably knew that better than anyone.

Ayanokoji turned his gaze to Horikita.

She was curled up in the shade, hugging her knees with her chin resting against them, as though trying to wrap herself up so she'd stop shivering.

However, the two spots of red on her face, absent until now, made it clear that she wasn't feeling well.

Sigh, Horikita Manabu. I'll just make you owe me a little more.

Ayanokoji sighed inwardly, put his hand in his pocket, and walked over to Horikita.

Realizing someone was standing in front of her, Horikita lifted her head slightly. Her gaze was calm, as though she wasn't surprised to see who it was.

She tried to raise her drooping eyelids, but found it difficult.

After trying and realizing she couldn't manage it, she simply started lowering her head again.

But after it had dipped an inch, a warm hand caught her chin.

The next moment, the hand lifted her chin slightly, until her blurry vision took in the whole figure of the boy in front of her.

Looking at the boy's indifferent expression, Horikita couldn't guess what he intended to do. She only felt, for some reason... a little embarrassed.

Then the boy slowly took his other hand out of his pocket, holding something in it.

Silently, he held out his hand to Horikita and slowly opened his clenched fist. Then he said calmly:

"Horikita, it's time to take your medicine."